10

DIRECT AND INVERSE VARIATIONS

10.1 INTRODUCTION

this
chapter, we shall.learn the concepts of direct and invers variations which are very
In many walks of life. The applications of the same will be discussec in the
usetul

subsequent c h a p t e r s .

0 2 VARIATIONS

values of two quantities depend on each other in such a way that a change in one
fclis
the in a corresponding change in the other, then the two quantities are said to be in
results

variation.

travelled by a car in a given interval of time and its speed. We

Iet us consider
Letus consider
the distance
hserve that if the speed is more, the car will travel more distance in a given period of
time. So, we can say that the speed of a car and distance covered by it, in a given period ot
variation.
time are in
Now, if we consider the speed of the moving car and the time taken by it to cover a certain
distance, we observe that the time taken by the car to travel a given distance will be les,
f the speed is more. In other words, as the speed increases, the time taken to cover a
given distance decreases. Thus, we can say that the speed of a car and the time taken by it
to cover a given distance are also in variation.

103 TYPES OF VARIATIONS

h the above discussion, we have seen that the two quantities may be linked in such a way
that both increase or decrease together. Also, the two quantities may vary in such a way
that if one increases, the other decreases and vice-versa. So, there are two types of
variations: direct and inverse as defined below.
DIRECT VARIATION If two quantities are linked in such a way that an increase in one
uantity leads to a corresponding increase in the other and vice-versa, then such a
variation is called a direct variation.
WO quantities are in direct variation, then we also say that they are proportional to

each other.
SIRATION 1 Consider the number of articles bought by a person and the amount paid.
We find that the larger the number of articles, the greater the amount
paid. So, the number of articles bought by a person and the amount paid
are in direct variation.
HATION2 Consider a money lender who lends money on interest. We observe that if
he lends more money on a certain rate of interest, the interest earned will
be more. In other words, if the money invested increases, the interest
earned also increases and vice-versa. Thus, the money invested and the
interest earned on it are in direct variation.
 10.2
Mathematics for
Class V
and volume of a gas at a specific t
ILLUSTRATION 3 If we
consider the pressure
we find that the
increase in pressure
the volume
leads

will increase. Thus, the

to decrease in
emperatur
blume and
the pressure is reduced,
ata given temperature
are not in direct variati.SUre ressure an
ation.
volume of a gas

If two quantities are

such a
linked in
an incre.
uway that
in
VARIATION vice-versa, then such a variatie
INVERSE
causes acorresponding decrease in the other and is riation calle
an inverse variation.
also say that they a o
variation, then we are
f two quantities a r e in inverse
inverselb
proportional to each other. on a project and the tim
number of workers working me taken
ILLUSTRATION 4 Consider the
the work. We observe that the time ta
by them to complete increase the number of workers
complete the work reduces if we
decrease in the number of
workers lead to increase in the t
timeh
completion. Thus, the number of workers working on a project and
variation.
the
time taken to complete it are in inverse
As discussed in Illustration 3, the pressure and volume of a gas at a given temperature .
are
also in inverse variation.

10.4 DIRECT VARIATION

In class VI, you have learnt unitary method. By using it we can find the cost of any number
of articles if we are given the cost of one article. For example, if one ball pen costs Rs8
then the cost of 2 ball pens of the same type is Rs 16; the cost of 3 ball pens of the same type
is Rs 24 and so on. Let a denote the number of ball pens and b denote the corresponding
cost. Then, the following table exhibits some values cf a and the corresponding values of
Number of ball pens (a): 1 2 3 6 8 15
Cost in Rupees (b): 8 16 24 48 64 120

It is evident from the above table that as the values of a increase, the values of b also
increase. Also, in all the above cases the ratio
is constant and is equal to So, we may
also define direct variation in mathematical form as follows
DIRECT VARIATION Iftwo quantities a and b vary with each other in such a manner that tne

ratioremains
b constant and is positive, then we say that a andb vary directly with eaen
other or a and b are in direct variation.

Thus, if two quantities a andb are in direct

variation, then the ratio i s always constd
This constant is called the constant b
of variation.
If two quantities a and b are in direct
variation and a, and b, are the alues
that the quantities take at one
point,
then corresponding va
= Constant(= k, say) . ( i

b
Similarly, if az and bh are the corresponding values at another point, then
... (i)
ajatanaVerse
rse Variations
10.3
(11), (ii) we get
) and
a n d

(i)
from

ba
By cross-multiplication]

bg

we obtain the following rule:

ue
Thus,
quantities a and b are in direct variation, the ratio of any two values ofa is
t o the ratio of the corresponding values of b.
equal

T h i sr e s u l t
very useful in solving problems which we had solved in class VI by unitary

method.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
nle 11
Example In which of the following tables, a and b vary directly. Also, find the constant
of variation if a and b are in direct variation.

21 28
i)
12 21 63 84
2.5 7.5 10 15
(ii)
b 10 20 30 40 60

1 2 5
(iii) b 2 6 3 2/5
Solution (i) We have,

47 21 28
12 21 63 84
Thus, the ratio of the corresponding values of a and b is constant and is equal
1
to
Hence, a and b are in direct variation with the constant of variation equal

to
3

(ii) We have,

2.5
2.55 7.5 10
10 20
0 40 15 1

This shows that the ratio of the corresponding values of a and b is constant
and is equal toThus, a and b vary directly. The constant of variation is
in) It is evident from the table that the ratio of the corresponding values of a
and b is not constant. So, a andb are not in direct variation i.e. they do not
vary directly.
 10.4
Mather for Clas
Ifr and y vary directly, find the missing entries in the following taLt
Example 2
cable: Vil
2.5 21
(i) 5 8 24

9 15
(ii) 3 4.5 7.5 13.25
(i) It is given that x
and y are
in direct variation.
Solution
corresponding values of z and y remain constant.
Therefore, the-
the ratio of t
the
We have,

So, and y are in direct variation with the constant of variation eaual .. 1
This means that x is half of y or y is twice ofx. Thus, the required entris2
,and 21x2i.e.,4, 12 and 42.
(ii) We have,

915-2
4.5 7.5
So, x andy are in direct variation such that x is twice of y.
Thus, the missing entries are 3 x 2 = 6 and 13.25 x 2 = 26.5.
Example 3 A car travels 432 km on 48 litres of petrol. How far would it travel 20
on litres
of petrol1?
Solution Suppose the car travels km on 20 litres of petrol. Then, the above
information can be put in the following tabular form:

Petrol (in litres) 48 20

Distance (in km) 432
We observe that the lesser the petrol consumed, the smaller the number of
kilometres travelled. So, it is a case of direct variation.
Ratio of petrol consumed = Ratio of distance travelled
48:20 =432:x
48432
20
48xx =20x432 By cross-multiplicationl

=20x432
=180. =

48
Hence, the car would travel 180 km on 20 litres of petrol.
at for
Example 4 If 40 metres of a cloth costs Rs 1940, how many metres can be boug
Rs 727.5?
can

Solution Let x metres of cloth be bought for Rs 727.5. Then, the given informar
be exhibited in the following tabular form.
 10.5
dlnverseVariations

Money (in rupees): 1940 727.5

Length of the cloth (in
metres): 40
Clearly, less money will fetch less metres of cloth. So, it is a case of direct
yariation. Therefore,
Ratio of number of rupees Ratio of number of metres
=

1940 40
727.5
40x727.5-15
1940
ance, 15 metres of cloth be
Hen can
bought for Rs 727.50.
Example
5 A
A private taxi charges a fare of Rs 260 for a Journey of 200 km. How much
would it travel for Rs 279.50?
Suppose the taxi travels x km for Rs 279.50. Then, the given information can
be exhibited in the following tabular form.

Fare (in rupees): 260 279.50

Distance travelled (in km): 200
Clearly, the taxi will travel more for more money. So, it is a case of direct
variation.
Ratio of number of rupees = Ratio of distance travelled
260 200
279.50
200x279.50 = 215
=

260
Hence, the taxi will travel 215 km for Rs 279.50.
Eample 6 Reema types 540 words during half an hour. How many words would she type
in 6 minutes?
Sotution Suppose she types x words in 6 minutes. Then, the given information can be
exhibited in the following tabular form.

Number of words: 540

Time (inminutes) 30
Since in more time more words can be typed. So, it is a case of direct variation.
Ratio of number of words = Ratio of number of minutes
540 30
5
6x540
30
* = 108

Hence, she types 108 words in 6 minutes.

amplen
7 The
e amount of extension in an elastic spring varies directly as the weight
g on it. If a weight of 150 gm produces an extension of 2.9 cm, then what
Weght would produce an extension of 17.4 cm?
the required weight be x gram. Then, the above information can be
Xhibited in the following tabular form.
 10.6 Mathematics for Clasg
Weight (in gram): 150
Extension (in cm): 2.9 17.4
in the spring varies
given that the amount of extension
It is direct)
ctly as the
it. So, it is a case of direct variation.
weight hung on

Ratio of weights = Ratio of extensions

150:x =2.9:17.4
150 2.9
17.4
150

150x6 =1xx
= 900
Hence, a weight of 900 gram would produce an extension of 17.4 cm.

EXERCISE 10.1
A. Explain concept of direct variation.
the

2Which of the following quantities vary directly with each other?

G) Number of articles (x) and their price (y).
(ii) Weight of articles (x) and their cost (y).
Gii) Distance x and time y, speed remaining the same.

(iv) Wages (y) and number of hours («) of work.

(v) Speed («) and time (y) (distance covered remaining the same).
(vi) Area ofa land x) and its cost (y).
3. In which of the following tables x and y vary directly?
a 7 9 13 21 25
21 27 39 63 75

10 20 30 40 46
(ii) b 10 15 20 28

2 3 4 5 6
(i) b 6 9 12 17 20

12 2 43 5
iv) b 25 43 5
A. Fill in the blanks in each of the following so as to make the statement true :
Se
(i) Two quantities are said to vary... with each other if they increase (decren same
together in such a way that the ratio of the corresponding values remains
r
(ii) x and y are said to vary directly with each other if for some positive num
R.

(iii) Ifu =3 v, then u and v vary.... with each other.

5. Complite the following tables given that x varies directly as y.
2.5 15
8 12
 dinverseVariations 10.7

10 35 25
8 12 32

6
8 10 20
y 1 6
20 40

9 3

(v)y 1 6 48 36 4

3
5 7 9
20 28
he constant of variation from the table given below:
6 Pindthe

3 5 9
y 12 20 28 36
table and solve the following problems. Use unitary method to verify the
Set up
anSwer,

n.bit hought 12 registers for Rs 156, find the cost of 7 such registers.
anama
Anupa
takes 125 minutes in walkinga distance of 100 metre. What distance would
315 minutes?
shecover in
f the cost of 93 m of
a certain kind of plastic sheet is Rs
1395, then what would it cost
to buy 105 m of such plastic sheet?
Suneeta types 1080 words in one hour. What is her GWAM (gross words a minute
Crate)?
is at the average
travelling speed of 50 km/hr. How much distance would it
A car
travel in 12 minutes?

L68theboxes of a certain commodity require a shelf-length of 13.6 m. How many boxes of

same commodity would occupy a shelf length of 20.4 m?
ln a library 136 copies of a certain book require a shelf-length of 3.4 metre. How nmany
copies of the same book would occupy a shelflength of 5.1 metres?
14. The second class railway fare for 240 km of Journey is Rs 15.00. What would be the
fare for a journey of 139.2 km?
1. fthe thickness of a pile of 12 cardboards is 35 mm, find the thickness of a pile of 294
cardboards.
he cost of 97 metre of cloth is Rs 242.50. What length of this can be purchased for
Rs 302.50?

.11 Den
mcan dig 63 metre long trench in one day. How many men should be employed
4
. Awo
digging 27 metre long trench of the same type in one day?
1 s paid Rs 210 for 6 days work. If his total income of the month is Rs 875,
Or how many days
did he work?
Nok
A

T 18 paid Rs 200 for 8 days work. Ifhe works for 20 days, how much will he get?

a amount of exter
xtension in an elastic string varies directly as the weight hung on it. If
eight of 1500gm
gm produces an extension of 2.9 cm, then what weight would produce
an extension of 17.4 cm?
 Mathomatics for Class
10.8 VIN
the weight
elastic spring varies directly with hung on
. The amount of extension in an
an
extension of' 3.6 cm,
find the xtension produced
oxta
gmof 250 produces
1t. If a weight
by the weight of 700 gm. of dust from the atmognho
10" pounds How
22. In 10 days, the earth picks
up 2.6 x
much dust will it pick up
in 45 days? In hhou
dust from
10° kg ofdust
hore.
atmosphere.
from the atmosphere. how
earth picks up 1.2 x 10 of many
23. In 15 days, the
of dust?
it will pick up 4.8 x 10 kg
days
ANSWERSS

(i)
3. (i), (ii), 4. (i) directly ) directly
2. G), (i), (iv) (vi)
9, 12,1 (v) 12,36
16 20 (il) 25, 16,50 (iv) 36, 12,
5. i) 4,6,30 i ) ,16,56,40,
10. 18 11. 10 km
8. 252 metre 9. Rs 1675
7. Rs 91
10. 18 6.
4 15. 85.75 cm 16. 121 metre 17. 44 men
14. Rs8.70
13. 204
12. 102 22. 11.7x10" pound 23.60days
21. 9.8 cm
19. Rs 500 20. 900 gram
18. 25 days

10.5 INVERSE VARIATION

direct variation. We have seen that in the
have learnt about
In the previous section, we
increase or decrease together
in the same
case of direct
variation, the two quantities the two quantities
we have seen that
in the case of inverse variation,
ratio. In section 10.3, decrease in the
increase in one causes a corresponding
a way that an
are linked in such then if we put only one
and vice-versa. For example, if 2 men can do a job in 12 days,
other 24 days to complete the same job,
he would take (2 x 12) days
=

m a n on the same job,

in 4 days ; 12 men will do it in 2
men will do in 6 days; 6 men will do it
the job
Clearly, 4
will complete the job in oneday.
days and 24 men

be put in the following tabular form:

The above information can

6 12 24
Number of men (a): 2 4

12 6 4 2
Number of days required
to finish the work (b):
It is evident from the above table that as the number of men increases, the number of days
decreases and as the number of men decreases, the number of days increases. Also, in al

ab is constant and is to 24. So, define inverse

the above cases, the product equal we may

variation in the following mathematical form:

INVERSE VARIATION 1f two quantities x and y vary with each other in such a manner
b inversely
theproduct ab remains constant and is positive, then we say that a and vary
each other or a varies inversely as b and b varies inversely as a.
Thus, if two quantities a and b vary inversely as each other, then the product ab au
remains constant. The product ab is called the constant of variation.
ofb
If two quantities a and b vary inversely as each other and b1, ba are the vau
corresponding to the values aj, ag of a respectively, then
ab1 Constant(= k, say) and, agbg = k
wataia
in
n vrIss
ve eeV
Va ri
ar ia t i o n s 10.9

b
b : or,ah : a b:b
the following rule:
eobtain
e antities a and b vary inversely as each other, then the ratio of any two
ftwo i s egual to the inverse ratio of the corresponding values of o.
ves o
huk valu

xamples
amples will
will illua
illustrate the use of this rule in solving problems.
Folbwinge x a

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Tn which of the following tables a and b vary inversely:
Erample1

a 8 16 32 256
32 16 8

a 9 18 2 12
8 30 6

2 16 8
(ii) 40 5 10 20
remains same for
SoUtion
We know that if a and b vary inversely, then the product ab
all values ofa and b.
(i) Here,
16x16 256, 256 and 256x1 256.
32x8
8x32 256, = =

of b
of the values of a and the corresponding values
are
Clearly, the products
fixed. So, a and b vary inversely.
(ii) We have,
9x8 72, 18 x 4 =
72, 2 x 30 =
60 and 12 x 6 =72.
Since the products of the values of a and the corresponding values of b are not

fixed. So, a and b do not vary inversely.

(ii) We have,
10 80 and 4 x 20 80.
2x 40 80, 16 x 5 80,8 x
=
=

of a and the corresponding values of b are

Clearly, the products of the values
fixed. So, a and b vary inversely.
eample 2 Ifa and b vary inversely, fill in the blanks:
1
8
i) 20 80
b 10
8 128
16 32
(ii) 0.5
b 4
Solution and b vary inversely, so the product ab remains
constant and is
Since a

equalto 8 x10 = 80.

40
irst blank space is to be filled by
10.10 athematics for lass Vi
Second blank space is to be filled by 4

Third blank space is to be filled by= 16.

) Proceeding as in (i), we find that

64
First blank space isto be filled by 2
64
Second blank space is to be filled by=8
8
Example 3 If 52 men can do a piece of work in 35 days, in how many days 28 men.
do it? wil
Solution Suppose 28 men will do the piece of work in x days. The given information.
be exhibited in the following tabular form. can
Number of men 52 28
Number of days 35

Clearly, less is the number of men, more will be the number of days to
the work. It is therefore, the case of inverse variation. finish
Ratio of number of men Inverse ratio of number of
=
days
52:28 =x : 35

35
52x35 =28 x*

28
52x365
Hence, 28 men will do the work in 65 days.
Example 4 If 56 men can do a
piece of work in 42 days. How many men will do it in 14
days?
Solution Suppose x men will do the given piece of work in 14 days. The given
information can be put in the
following tabular form.
Number of men 52
Number of days 42 14
We note that more the
number of men, less will be the
finish the work. It is,
therefore, a case of inverse variation. number days
of

Ratio of number of men

Ratio of
=
number of days
56:x =14:42

5614
42
14 x = 56 x 42

56x42
14
x =168
Hence, 168 men will finish the
given piece of work in 14 days.
 andInverseariations
10.11
Example
5
Shalu cycles to her
S h a i

school at an average
of 12 km/hr. It takes her 20
reach
minutes to rea the school. If she wants speed
to reach her
be her average r school in 15 minutes,
vhat should
speed?
Let the required speed be x km/hr. Then, the given information may be
SNMOn presen
in the following tabular form. D
Speed (in km/hr) 12
Time (in minutes) 20 15
We note that more the speed, less will
be the time taken to cover the give
distànce. So, it is a case of inverse
variation.
Ratio of speeds Inverse
=
ratio of time taken
12:x = 15:20
1215
x 20
15 x x = 12 x 20

12x20 = 16
15
Hence, Shalu's average speed should be 16 km/hr.
.mnle 6 1000 soldiers in a fort had enough food for 20 days. But some soldiers were
Example
transferred to another fort and the food lasted for 25 days. How many
soldiers were transferred?
Solution Suppose* soldiers were left in the fort after transferring some soldiers.
Then,
Number of transferred soldiers =1000-x.
The given information may be put in the following tabular form.
Numberof soldiers 1000
Numberof days 20 25
Since more soldiers will finish the food in less days.
So, it is a case of inverse variation.
Ratio of number of soldiers = Inverse ratio of number of days.
1000:x = 25:20

1000 25
20
25 x x = 1000 x 20

1000x20
25
* = 800
lence, the number of transferred soldiers = 1000 800 = 200.
Example 7 120 men
me had food provision for 200 days. After 5 days, 30 men died due to an
epdemic. How long will the remaining food last?
Solution Since 30 men die after 5 days. Therefore, the remaining food is sufficient 1
120 men for 195
days.
ouppose the remaining food lasts for x days for the remaining 90 men.
10.12 Mather
natics for Class
Thus, we have the following table: lass v
Number of men 2 120 90
Number of days 195
We note that more men will consume the food in less number of da..
number of men will consume the food in more number of days, So and
of inverse variation. tis acast
Ratio of number of men = Inverse ratio of number of days
120:90 = *: 195
120
90 195

120x 195
90
-
260
Hence, the remaining men will consume the food in 260 days.
Example 8 Ifx and y vary inversely as each other, and x = 10 when y = 6. Find y.
x = 15.
Find ywhen
Solution Since x and y vary inversely as each other, therefore the product ay alvas
remains constant. ways
10x 6 = 15 xy
60 1 5 y
60
15
y = 4

EXERCISE 10.2
1. In which of the following tables x and y vary inversely:
4 3 12
6 8 2 24

20 10 4

(ii) 20 5 10 25

6
(iii) 9 12 8 36

9 24 15 3
(iv) 3 3 25
fill in the following blanks:
2. Itx and y vary inversely,
12 16
1) 6 0.25
L *

16 32 8 128
(ii) 4 0.25
 ieCaNa/7ve d Inverse variations

10.13
9 81
243
27 9
(i
Which h e following quantities vary inversely as each
ofth

of x other?
number men hired to
construct a wall and the time
)The y taken to finish tne
job.
x of a journey by bus and
Thelength pricey of the ticket.
(x km) undertaken by a car and the
ey
i known that
i ) ,
petrol (y litres) consumed by it.
that for a given mass of gas, the volume u
Itisll in the missing tries in the following table : varies inversely as tthe pressure
.

v inem") 48 60 200
100
(in atmospheres) 2 3/2 1/2
men can do a piece of work in 25 days, in how many days will 15 men do it ?
f 36
force of 550 men with a contractor can finish a piece of work in 5 months. In
force of
work
6Aonv months the same work can be completed by 125 men?
how.

work-force of 420 men with a contractor can finish a certain piece of work in
nths, How many extra men must he employ to complete the job in 7 months?
months

o00 men can finish a stock of food in 35 days. How many more men should join them
8
the same stock may last for 25 days?
so that
hostel of 50 girls, there are food last?
provisions for 40 days. If 30 more girlsj
9. In a
will these provisions
hostel, how long
0. A car
can finish a certain journey in 10 hours at the speed of 48 km/hr. By how much
be increased so that it may take only 8 hours to cover the same
should its speed
distance?
28 days. After 4 days, some soldiers were
fort had enough food for
I1, 1200 soldiers in a
How many
transferred to another fort and thus the food lasted now for 32 more days.
soldiers left the fort?
minutes.
together can finishpainting a house in 60
12.Three spraying machines working
machines of the same capacity to do the same job?
How long will it take for 5
consume 54 kg of wheat every
month. Some
13. A group of 3 friends staying together, for 18
same amount of wheat lasts
friends join this group and they find that the
more there in this group now?
days. How many new members are
same field in 10
can graze a field in 16 days.
How many cows will graze the
cows
days? how many
the same field in 15 days,
18
men can reap a field in 35 days. For reaping
men are required?
cycles he will be
Rs 500 each. How many
Aperson has money to buy 25 cycles worth
able to buy if each cycle is costing Rs 125 more?
machines
M. Rs 200 each. How many
Raghu has enou 75 machines worth
nough money to buy each machine?
DUy ifhe gets discount of Rs 50 on
18. T
a
Ifx and y vary inversely as each other and
i)x 3 3wheny = 8, find y when = 4
i) x- 5 wheny = 15, find xwhen y = 12
Gii) x= 30, find y when constant of variation = 900.
fiv) y 0
= , nnd x when constant of variation = 7.
10.14 Mathnematics
ANSWERS
for Cia
1. i), (i) 2. (i) 8,24, 12, 384 (ii) 2,8 (ii) 27,3 3. )
15 9
4. 45,90,0.9, 180, 5. 60 days 6. 2 months 7. 120 men
8. 480
20
9. 25 days 10. 12 km/hr 11. 300 soldiers 12. 36 minutes
13. 2
14. 88 cows 15. 42 men
25
16. 20 cycles 17. 100 machines
ertex
18. () y =6 (ii) y=30 Giv)
4